Effects of taurine on vascular tension and state of blood magnesium

Abstract

Abstract : Many biological, physiological and pharmacological functions of taurine have been identified in various tissues and species including building blocks of protein, membrane stabilization, detoxification, antioxidation, osmoregulation, modulation of ion flux, control of calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis and as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. The present study investigated the effect of taurine on vascular tension and blood ionized Magnesium (iMg2+) status. In this study Sprague-Dawley rats were used and surgical isolation of outer jugular vein and right carotid artery was done and then artery and vein were cannulated. Taurine was infused (100 and 250 mg/kg bw) through jugular vein and blood pressure was recorded continuously with Biopac computerized system connecting with a pressure transducer MP150 through the carotid artery catheter. In vivo biphasic effect of taurine where initial transient increase of mean arterial pressure (MAP) following sustain decreasing than normal in both doses and in vitro vaso-relaxant effect of taurine was observed. The relaxation mechanism is endothelium dependent where taurine induced for activation of (Nitric Oxide) NO/cGMP signaling cascade and this mechanism is responsible for ultimate decrease in MAP. Blood ionized and total magnesium (tMg2+) in taurine infused rats were measured in a time and dose dependent manner and found a significant increase in blood iMg2+. Our study suggests that taurine can reduce elevated blood pressure, increases blood iMg2+ and thus counteracted the deleterious effects.